Teens jailed in Madison assault case

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By Daily Telegram staff

The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI

By Daily Telegram staff

Posted Nov. 15, 2012 at 5:00 PM

By Daily Telegram staff

Posted Nov. 15, 2012 at 5:00 PM

ADRIAN

Two former members of the Madison High School football team were led out of a courtroom in handcuffs Wednesday after they were each sentenced to a year in jail for threatening younger players with a broom handle in the school locker room.

Troy Darnell Burr Jr. and Rodolfo Rios, both 18, pleaded guilty to reduced assault charges on Sept. 5. Burr originally faced five counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and Rios five counts of aiding and abetting assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

At their plea hearing in Lenawee County Circuit Court, Burr admitted threatening a younger teammate with the broom while Rios held him down. Neither of the two victims were actually touched with the broom.

Burr and Rios appeared separately Wednesday before Judge Timothy P. Pickard and received identical sentences. Neither teen made any apology or comment before sentencing.

The sentences include the court’s approval for them to enter the state’s alternative 90-day boot camp program rather than complete a year in jail. They were also placed on probation for five years and each was ordered to pay $1,250 court costs.

Rios’ attorney, James Daly of Adrian, said his client understands what he did was wrong and plans to better himself in the future.

“He is hoping he can satisfactorily complete boot camp, which I think he can,” Daly said. He also said Rios has some long-term goals.

Attorney John Baker of Adrian made similar comments on behalf of Burr.

Pickard warned he would not be lenient with any probation violations.

“I would indicate, Mr. Rios, if you fail to complete the probation you can be brought back here and you can be sentenced to up to four years in prison,” Pickard said. He repeated the warning for Burr.

The two were charged in March after a Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department investigation of rumors reported by school administrators that students were assaulted in the locker room after football practices. Two freshman football players were allegedly assaulted five times during August and September 2011.